Major Collection of Modernist Painter Manfred Schwartz Attained by Manhattanville College

Purchase, NY May 20, 2016 -- Manhattanville College has become the owner of the largest collection of artwork and biographical material of the acclaimed modern Polish-American artist Manfred Schwartz. The more than 200 paintings lithographs, drawings and sketches are valued at over $140,000 and were donated by alumnus (’73) Andrew Dellava.

Schwartz, who studied at the Sorbonne in Paris, counted among his circle of friends, mentors and influences Braque, Duchamp, Rouault, Picasso and Matisse. His work is part of the permanent collections of The Met, MOMA, the Guggenheim and other internationally renowned art museums.

The donated collection represents all phases of the artist’s productive career “from his early figurative work to his highly sought-after late abstract paintings known as the Celestials,” according to Assistant Professor Deborah Saleeby-Mulligan in the Department of Art History. “It is an honor to have the collection,” she said.

In addition to Dellava’s artworks, Manhattanville was gifted the artist’s personal family memorabilia (photos, letters, etc.) by Felice Berenson, Schwartz’s cousin and custodian of his estate.

Dellava, who has been collecting Schwartz’s work for decades, said he believes that a vibrant educational community, such as Manhattanville, is the perfect place for the collection. “I wanted his work to live and breathe,” he said.

And breathe it does. Students in Manhattanville’s Museum Studies seminar earlier this year catalogued and archived the collection, working cooperatively to plan, design, and install the Schwartz exhibition in the Berger gallery in the spring of 2016. “Through the course, having access to a primary source of such high quality, students gained invaluable knowledge, experience, and skills necessary for pursuing a career in museums,” said Saleeby-Mulligan.

About Manhattanville College:
Manhattanville College (www.manhattanville.edu) is an independent, co-educational liberal arts institution dedicated to academic excellence and social and civic action. Manhattanville prepares students to be ethical and socially responsible leaders in a global community. Located just 30 minutes from New York City, Manhattanville serves 1,800 undergraduate students and 1,100 graduate students from more than 45 countries and 40 states. Founded in 1841, the College offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate areas of study in the arts and sciences, education business, creative writing, as well as continuing and executive education programs.